Well, it’s been a heck of an offseason, wouldn’t you say? And Brandon Marshall seems to be doing his best to make sure the Broncos stay in the news in upcoming days and weeks, when the rest of the NFL world starts to shut down for a much-needed vacation.

I’ll touch a bit on the Marshall situation below … but first, to borrow a line from Josh McDaniels, let’s talk about the players that were actually at Dove Valley for the team’s mandatory minicamp.

WINNERS

– WRs Jabar Gaffney, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokely and Chad Jackson: So maybe none of these guys presents quite the intimidating physical presence that No. 15 does, but these four receivers got plenty of reps with the first-team offense through the weekend. Gaffney at this point appears to be the most versatile and comfortable in the offense, no surprise since he followed McDaniels here from New England. Eddie Royal frequently looked like the very best skill position player on the field — fantasy alert! he’s going to make A LOT of catches this year — and Stokely is his same old reliable self Broncos fans are used to. Chad Jackson might have found himself in the best position through all this offseason turmoil. A guy who signed late last season and played little for Mike Shanahan, he’s getting a lot of work now and is familiar with the offense from his time in New England. I don’t expect him to be a starter, but he could find himself a role here, especially if Marshall protests his way out of town.

– QB Kyle Orton: He’s The Man heading into training camp. This is good for him from a leadership perspective and it will help him continue to build rapport with his receivers. He wasn’t always sharp in minicamp, but it surely is a confidence boost for Orton to know his coach has enough faith in him to anoint him as the No. 1 right now.

– TE Tony Scheffler: Kudos to Scheffler for making it through an entire offseason program healthy. After spending the last two Mays and Junes in the training room or on the sidelines, it was nice to see Scheffler working at full speed. He is playing behind Daniel Graham, but did get first-team reps in 2 tight end sets.

– OLB/DE Robert Ayers: Yes, Knowshon Moreno was impressive and I expect Moreno to make a major impact this season. But Ayers got more work with the first team of any rookie. He also showed tremendous work ethic by staying late after every practice to practicing catching balls from the Jugs machine. He was on the field for a solid 15 minutes, at least, longer than all of his defensive teammates each day.

– ILB D.J. Williams: Williams is still wearing the orange “no contact” jersey as he continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery, but it didn’t look like Williams was limited at all. In fact, he appeared to get more work than just about any defensive player because of his starting spot in the base, nickel and dime packages. He is even on the first-team field goal block unit.

– RB Ryan Torain: He didn’t take any reps, but the fact that he was on the field practicing at all makes Torain a winner for sure. He showed good mobility and the grace we all remember from last summer as he worked through individual drills.

– OLB/DE Tim Crowder: The 2007 second-round pick was basically Mr. Irrelevant last season, but he was in with the first-team base defense at outside linebacker all weekend. He came out on passing downs, though he was on the second-team nickel unit. I talked to Crowder on Friday, and he said that all he can ask for is a chance to compete, and clearly he’s been given a clean slate by the new coaching regime.

– OL Seth Olsen: The rookie draft pick took all of the first-team reps at right guard while starter Chris Kuper was excused to attend his own wedding. There is very little chance Kuper’s absence hurts his standing — all the praise for the Ryans aside, I’ve heard talk that Kuper was the line’s MVP last season — but any time a young guy like Olsen can get that much early work with the starters, it is a good thing.

LOSERS (and we mean this in the nicest way possible)

– WR Brandon Marshall: You can’t win if you don’t (or won’t) play.

– P Brett Kern: Rookie Britton Colquitt looks like he’ll be more than just a camp leg. Kern, who had a solid rookie year in 2008, could find himself in another heated battle throughout training camp.

– DE/OLB Elvis Dumervil and Darrell Reid: I was hesitant to list these guys here, but the fact is, they were both relegated to the second-team through much of the weekend. Dumervil, did, however take a number of first-team reps on Sunday, swapping in and out with Ayers. This position battle is far from over and is shaping up to be possibly the most interesting competition of training camp.

– QB Chris Simms: Now officially the No. 2, which makes him the “loser” in the QB competition. But he handled the news well, praised Orton as a teammate and player and said he will continue to work hard, which makes him a “winner” in my book.

And now, onto Brandon Marshall, who just keeps finding ways to keep himself in the news and on the airwaves.

Here’s what we know: He wants a new, big-money contract that would pay him on par with what similarly productive receivers in the league make. He wants to rehab with his own doctors and trainers in Florida instead of at Dove Valley. And he seems to be OK with forking over thousands of dollars to do so.

My partner Mike Klis reported in today’s edition that the Broncos do not want to trade Marshall and that McDaniels has been in touch with Marshall’s agent. The fact that Marshall did show up for a face-to-face meeting with Pat Bowlen, and that communication remains open between him, his reps and the team is a good sign. We’ve all seen what can happen when there’s no communication …

That said … I don’t see this as a situation where either side is ready to compromise. It makes perfect sense that the team wants to wait to give Marshall a major deal until they see how he recovers from the hip surgery (not to mention the forearm and hand troubles that continued to bother him in 2008) and if he can stay completely out of trouble for a full calendar year. At this point, Marshall is a risk, and it seems everyone but him knows it. At a time when you would think Marshall would be doing everything to take the spotlight off of himself (in light of the ESPN piece a couple of weeks ago), he’s doing even more damage to his reputation.

I asked Broncos fans via twitter to chime in on what they think and hope should happen. Here’s a sample of the responses:

From @KMA55 “He needs to show up period, he’s under contract. Until that happens the Broncos should just keep the front office quiet.”

From @esmagnus “Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler were our best players last year. I don’t understand the sense in trading them!”

From @nickstratton “B. Marsh has no leverage with his legal and health concerns and pending CBA restrictions. Make him play.”

From @jaredstill “Bowlen should trade #15 to the Cards for Boldin; both WR’s get paid, Cards take risk of 8/16 game suspension w/ nxt BM arrest.”

From @SteveOReilly “Pay Brandon!”

From @seangui “Won’t get equal in return from trade; injury, arrest issues. Give new contract-same $ this yr, addt’l yrs as top wr w/clauses”

I can’t believe the day would ever come where i would say this, but i was happy to hear that Marshall wants out. I have been a Bronco fan (in Maryland) for the last 23 years! That’s over 2 decades of battling and arguing for MY Denver Broncos. 23 years and all it took was Pat Bowlen to go out and hire an offensive minded person, from the family of Bill Belicheck of all people, to move in and DESTROY a franchise, when what we needed was an upgrade to our “D” and Rex Ryan and Steve Spagnolia sitting there waiting for an opportunity to make a difference. Instead, we get McDork and he has just sunk a franchise single-handedly. Marshall is a ticking time-bomb, but a major stud at wideout and i hope he leaves and i hope Denver goes 0-16 and i hope McDaniels is fired and Bowlen sells the team. Until then, I will be rooting on “Da Bears”, and My boy Cutler who is going to absolutely open eyes this year with the little talent he has at wide receiver in Chicago. Good luck to all you Denver fans…That is, good luck in getting rid of that bum

nick

I can’t believe the day would ever come where i would say this, but i was happy to hear that Marshall wants out. I have been a Bronco fan (in Maryland) for the last 23 years! That’s over 2 decades of battling and arguing for MY Denver Broncos. 23 years and all it took was Pat Bowlen to go out and hire an offensive minded person, from the family of Bill Belicheck of all people, to move in and DESTROY a franchise, when what we needed was an upgrade to our “D” and Rex Ryan and Steve Spagnolia sitting there waiting for an opportunity to make a difference. Instead, we get McDork and he has just sunk a franchise single-handedly. Marshall is a ticking time-bomb, but a major stud at wideout and i hope he leaves and i hope Denver goes 0-16 and i hope McDaniels is fired and Bowlen sells the team. Until then, I will be rooting on “Da Bears”, and My boy Cutler who is going to absolutely open eyes this year with the little talent he has at wide receiver in Chicago. Good luck to all you Denver fans…That is, good luck in getting rid of that bum

Bob

Boohoo, poor little Nick — are you going to cry? I don’t know how old you are, but you need to grow up and act like a man — not a little baby.

With that said, I appreciate you becoming a Bears fan instead of still pretending to be a Broncos “fan.” But at the same time, I have no idea what you’re doing here.

Bob

Boohoo, poor little Nick — are you going to cry? I don’t know how old you are, but you need to grow up and act like a man — not a little baby.

With that said, I appreciate you becoming a Bears fan instead of still pretending to be a Broncos “fan.” But at the same time, I have no idea what you’re doing here.

Smitty

WOW!! I didn’t think Bronco fans were that loose. If you’ve been a fan for 23 years and ready to to switch now, you should have left those comments to yourself!! I’ve been a BRONCOS FAN for 24 years IN DENVER and we dont’t turn our backs YOU DIG?!?

Smitty

WOW!! I didn’t think Bronco fans were that loose. If you’ve been a fan for 23 years and ready to to switch now, you should have left those comments to yourself!! I’ve been a BRONCOS FAN for 24 years IN DENVER and we dont’t turn our backs YOU DIG?!?

Zach Parrie

As a Broncos fan, you know what excites me? The thought of the Bears picking up Brandon Marshall, so I can see what would have happened in Denver last year if they’d had some semblance of a defense (chicago’s) and a healthy rb (forte). Good luck to Cutler and B-Marsh, and may they win in chicago the way they should have in Denver…

Zach Parrie

As a Broncos fan, you know what excites me? The thought of the Bears picking up Brandon Marshall, so I can see what would have happened in Denver last year if they’d had some semblance of a defense (chicago’s) and a healthy rb (forte). Good luck to Cutler and B-Marsh, and may they win in chicago the way they should have in Denver…

Ron O

People need to pull there heads out of the sand and see what these “I’m the greatest” jerks are doing to the sports in this country. You signed a contract live up to it like a man. If you thought it was a bad contract you shouldn’t have signed it to start with. I hope the Broncos make him either play or set the season out and not get paid. I wish I had a 2.2 million dollar job this year……… All team owners should stand fast and stop opening up and doing these contracts.
I worked all my life in the union and not once did we get to say, we all did a better job this last couple of years and we want more money before our contract is up. You know what they would have said..there is the road and don’t let the door hit you on the way out…It is time for these pro players to pull there heads out of there a_sses and start living in the real world..

Ron O

People need to pull there heads out of the sand and see what these “I’m the greatest” jerks are doing to the sports in this country. You signed a contract live up to it like a man. If you thought it was a bad contract you shouldn’t have signed it to start with. I hope the Broncos make him either play or set the season out and not get paid. I wish I had a 2.2 million dollar job this year……… All team owners should stand fast and stop opening up and doing these contracts.
I worked all my life in the union and not once did we get to say, we all did a better job this last couple of years and we want more money before our contract is up. You know what they would have said..there is the road and don’t let the door hit you on the way out…It is time for these pro players to pull there heads out of there a_sses and start living in the real world..

Michael

Nick

Read MileHighReport.com for quality coverage of the Broncos. If you study the team closely, the coaching staff is very talented. They have installed a new offense, defense and culture in the team in a few short months. Believe me, GMs and owners around the league will be studying every move this staff has made to learn how to do the same on their teams. McDaniels is no bum. He’s very impressive and so is the owner for hiring him. But you go cheer for the bears….

Michael

Nick

Read MileHighReport.com for quality coverage of the Broncos. If you study the team closely, the coaching staff is very talented. They have installed a new offense, defense and culture in the team in a few short months. Believe me, GMs and owners around the league will be studying every move this staff has made to learn how to do the same on their teams. McDaniels is no bum. He’s very impressive and so is the owner for hiring him. But you go cheer for the bears….

kansas bob

Nick:
Sounds like you are a banwagon jumper more than a real Bronco fan. Da Bears will love you as a fan because most of them are just like you. Get ready to jump off the Cutler/Bears bandwagon mid season when the Bear fans boo Cutler off the field and he cries in the corner of the locker room!
With or without Marshal, the Broncos will be just fine and they will be better off without bandwagon jumpers.

kansas bob

Nick:
Sounds like you are a banwagon jumper more than a real Bronco fan. Da Bears will love you as a fan because most of them are just like you. Get ready to jump off the Cutler/Bears bandwagon mid season when the Bear fans boo Cutler off the field and he cries in the corner of the locker room!
With or without Marshal, the Broncos will be just fine and they will be better off without bandwagon jumpers.

john

I would like to see Marshall go, I wasn’t going to root for a team that had a wife-beater on the roster anyway.

john

I would like to see Marshall go, I wasn’t going to root for a team that had a wife-beater on the roster anyway.

howard cosell

I am so glad to see all you hairy chested fans joined at the hip with the Broncos. Doesnt matter who the coach is or who is on the team you are all there with your wallets open.
I wonder if your QB, Orten is on his knees begging Marshall and his agent to stay or if he figures he is doomed anyway.

howard cosell

I am so glad to see all you hairy chested fans joined at the hip with the Broncos. Doesnt matter who the coach is or who is on the team you are all there with your wallets open.
I wonder if your QB, Orten is on his knees begging Marshall and his agent to stay or if he figures he is doomed anyway.

rob

sorry broncos fans , i’m a big 9er fan and i have to say , if you guys lose your wr. after losing your QB. you are headed for a very bad year ! with nolan running your defense , you will finish in the bottom 5 of nfl defenses and i doubt you can win more than 6 or 7 games ! i guess every one makes mistakes , so maybe you guys should start again after next year , with a new coaching staff !!!

rob

sorry broncos fans , i’m a big 9er fan and i have to say , if you guys lose your wr. after losing your QB. you are headed for a very bad year ! with nolan running your defense , you will finish in the bottom 5 of nfl defenses and i doubt you can win more than 6 or 7 games ! i guess every one makes mistakes , so maybe you guys should start again after next year , with a new coaching staff !!!

IWILLX2

It’s amazing. Some people call themselves a fan of a TEAM and as soon as a few star players quit on the TEAM and wants out, they ( the fan ) jumps ship and become a FAN of a different team. The TEAM that the star player or players go to. I am shocked some people call themselves a FAN of a TEAM. If you are a FAN of a TEAM, you stick with that TEAM no matter what happens ! If a FAN can switch TEAMs so easily then I wouldn’t want that FAN to be a FAN of anything I am associated with. I’ve been a BRONCOS FAN for 26 years. I been through 3 Superbowl losses all by huge amounts. Blow-outs to be exact and I stayed a TRUE FAN of my TEAM ( The BRONCOS ). I have to say to all of the people who jumped off of the BRONCOS ship to stay off because we are coming!!! We will make the play-offs this year (I if not this year then definitly next). We will make it to and win several CHAMPIONSHIPS in the next five years. I am very confident in McDaniels, his personnel, his scheme, the system he is installing, the plater’s he ‘s aquiring, and the decisions he is and will be making. This guy (McDaniels ) is very intelligent and he knows what he is doing. He will be successful in DENVER and I am behind him all the way. I will be one of the few who will honestly be able to say that I stayed true to my BRONCOS as a FAN through thick and thin, in good times and bad, when winning and losing. I LOVE the DENVER BRONCOS and I live in BALTIMORE,MARYLAND. Go BRONCOS IWILLX2……..

IWILLX2

It’s amazing. Some people call themselves a fan of a TEAM and as soon as a few star players quit on the TEAM and wants out, they ( the fan ) jumps ship and become a FAN of a different team. The TEAM that the star player or players go to. I am shocked some people call themselves a FAN of a TEAM. If you are a FAN of a TEAM, you stick with that TEAM no matter what happens ! If a FAN can switch TEAMs so easily then I wouldn’t want that FAN to be a FAN of anything I am associated with. I’ve been a BRONCOS FAN for 26 years. I been through 3 Superbowl losses all by huge amounts. Blow-outs to be exact and I stayed a TRUE FAN of my TEAM ( The BRONCOS ). I have to say to all of the people who jumped off of the BRONCOS ship to stay off because we are coming!!! We will make the play-offs this year (I if not this year then definitly next). We will make it to and win several CHAMPIONSHIPS in the next five years. I am very confident in McDaniels, his personnel, his scheme, the system he is installing, the plater’s he ‘s aquiring, and the decisions he is and will be making. This guy (McDaniels ) is very intelligent and he knows what he is doing. He will be successful in DENVER and I am behind him all the way. I will be one of the few who will honestly be able to say that I stayed true to my BRONCOS as a FAN through thick and thin, in good times and bad, when winning and losing. I LOVE the DENVER BRONCOS and I live in BALTIMORE,MARYLAND. Go BRONCOS IWILLX2……..

Denverfan 96

Waaaah!! Anyone notice that the Cutler and Marshall fans sound like big babies too? Waaah!!! We don’t need you on our team! I have been a fan of both the Broncos and the Avs since 96. Teams have their ups and downs and real fans stick with their teams regardless of what management does. When Forsberg left the Avs, I stayed a fan of the Avs. I have Raider friends who brag about being true fans all because they stay with their team even though they loose most of the time. =P It’s a shame that people jump ship after being a so called fan for 20+ years just because 2 pro bowl players want out. Yeah the Broncos made some mistakes and yeah, the Avs could be heading in the same direction but we all won’t find out until the season starts. What happens if they do nothing but win? Will people being jumping back on? What a joke!

Denverfan 96

Waaaah!! Anyone notice that the Cutler and Marshall fans sound like big babies too? Waaah!!! We don’t need you on our team! I have been a fan of both the Broncos and the Avs since 96. Teams have their ups and downs and real fans stick with their teams regardless of what management does. When Forsberg left the Avs, I stayed a fan of the Avs. I have Raider friends who brag about being true fans all because they stay with their team even though they loose most of the time. =P It’s a shame that people jump ship after being a so called fan for 20+ years just because 2 pro bowl players want out. Yeah the Broncos made some mistakes and yeah, the Avs could be heading in the same direction but we all won’t find out until the season starts. What happens if they do nothing but win? Will people being jumping back on? What a joke!

Jeff

I’m been a true fan of the Broncos for 26 years. On the Marshall situation, he was a Fourth Round Draft Pick his contact is the norm for that low of selection. Now since he has 2 good years in the stat’s he wants more money. Show up play your contract, stay out of trouble and maybe you’ll get what you deserve. If not pack your bags. We need true character on our team. Like a Rod or Eddie Mac, that would put the team before their selves.

Jeff

I’m been a true fan of the Broncos for 26 years. On the Marshall situation, he was a Fourth Round Draft Pick his contact is the norm for that low of selection. Now since he has 2 good years in the stat’s he wants more money. Show up play your contract, stay out of trouble and maybe you’ll get what you deserve. If not pack your bags. We need true character on our team. Like a Rod or Eddie Mac, that would put the team before their selves.

J Madden

New coaches should be given a chance, but arrogant coaches rarely succeed in today’s NFL. Systems do not win games without player talent. The great coaches adapt their systems to the talent they have, but the most important job of the head coach is to develop a team atmosphere and cohesion, something which McDaniels destroyed from day one for the sake of his system. Ask Bowlen if he would still have hired McDaniels if he had known what was going to happen. Being a fan means you want the best for your team not just this year, but over the long haul. If the current coach is terrible, the sooner he goes, the better. No playoffs this year, or any time soon, send McDaniels packing as soon as this season is over.

J Madden

New coaches should be given a chance, but arrogant coaches rarely succeed in today’s NFL. Systems do not win games without player talent. The great coaches adapt their systems to the talent they have, but the most important job of the head coach is to develop a team atmosphere and cohesion, something which McDaniels destroyed from day one for the sake of his system. Ask Bowlen if he would still have hired McDaniels if he had known what was going to happen. Being a fan means you want the best for your team not just this year, but over the long haul. If the current coach is terrible, the sooner he goes, the better. No playoffs this year, or any time soon, send McDaniels packing as soon as this season is over.

Phillip

This Pat Bowlen ego trip, “I’m in charge…” has been a train wreck. I think its time to acknowledge that no owner in the history of the NFL has gotten less from absolute historic all time talent than Pat Bowlen. Elway played in five Super Bowls, but how many more would the Broncos have won without Reeves wasting our first round pick on Tommy Maddox, and constantly trying to trade Elway. The ‘Wade Phillips years’ weren’t just two lost seasons, but two black hole seasons in terms of lost draft picks. In Wade Phillips drafts there was no talent to speak of. Sure Wade Philliips took Tommy Nalen in the Seventh round, but Wade would be the first to say if he was so smart why did he wait until the seventh round to take him. That’s it, unless you count the kicker, and a great one, in Elam. Pat “I’m in charge Bowlen” was responsible for ensuring that the Broncos were devoid of talent during Elway’s best years. How good was Elway? His five Super Bowls and six AFC Championship games aren’t his measure, its the reality of how many additional opportunities a talentless roster cost him the measures his true greatness.

The Broncos had the best offense in the NFL last year, bar none. Certainly they were not the best offense statistically, however, the Broncos were playing with one of the worst defenses in the modern era. They couldn’t stop anyone, and teams were able to have their way on the Broncos, running the ball down their throat, and stringing together long drive after long drive. Any marginal or average defense, instead of the terrible one we had, would have revealed the Broncos offense for the true juggernaut it was.

The Broncos were a good defensive tackle, a good defensive end, and two mediocre safeties away from being a Super Bowl contender. In my lifetime I have never seen a team so completely loaded with dominating All-Pro talent that has so much synergy completely thrown away. Cutler, Clady, Marshall, Royal, Harris, and Hillis. This offense was going to rewrite the history books.

The Broncos has an All-Pro quarterback, something that teams strive desperately to acquire for decades. The hardest player to get in all of sport. Yet Bowlen has to go all ‘Al Davis’ and get in a power struggle with the best GM/Coach in the business. Maybe there is a reason the Broncos didn’t make the playoffs and won three in a row, namely that Shanahan is a victim of his own success. Being such a winning coach means that he’s been reloading with terrible draft positioning. Yet he’s still put together the best offense in the game, and its so young, it has at least ten years of window in front of it.

Shanahan could have spent the next ten years throwing draft picks and free agent signings at the defense. The Broncos were never going to find stud 4-3 lineman. They just don’t come along but once in a generation: Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Howie Long. The Broncos were transitioning back to the 3-4 defense invented here under Joe Collier that the rest of the copycat league has since employed.

Rome is burning, the Broncos are irrelevant, but at least Pat Bowlen is in charge…

My favorite line from Rockstar, “all the talent…just left the room.”

With Shanahan fired…Cutler traded…and Marshall on the way out, is there a fan in Broncoland anymore that thinks that Al Davis is more of a train wreck for the Raiders than Pat Bowlen has been for the Broncos?

Phillip

This Pat Bowlen ego trip, “I’m in charge…” has been a train wreck. I think its time to acknowledge that no owner in the history of the NFL has gotten less from absolute historic all time talent than Pat Bowlen. Elway played in five Super Bowls, but how many more would the Broncos have won without Reeves wasting our first round pick on Tommy Maddox, and constantly trying to trade Elway. The ‘Wade Phillips years’ weren’t just two lost seasons, but two black hole seasons in terms of lost draft picks. In Wade Phillips drafts there was no talent to speak of. Sure Wade Philliips took Tommy Nalen in the Seventh round, but Wade would be the first to say if he was so smart why did he wait until the seventh round to take him. That’s it, unless you count the kicker, and a great one, in Elam. Pat “I’m in charge Bowlen” was responsible for ensuring that the Broncos were devoid of talent during Elway’s best years. How good was Elway? His five Super Bowls and six AFC Championship games aren’t his measure, its the reality of how many additional opportunities a talentless roster cost him the measures his true greatness.

The Broncos had the best offense in the NFL last year, bar none. Certainly they were not the best offense statistically, however, the Broncos were playing with one of the worst defenses in the modern era. They couldn’t stop anyone, and teams were able to have their way on the Broncos, running the ball down their throat, and stringing together long drive after long drive. Any marginal or average defense, instead of the terrible one we had, would have revealed the Broncos offense for the true juggernaut it was.

The Broncos were a good defensive tackle, a good defensive end, and two mediocre safeties away from being a Super Bowl contender. In my lifetime I have never seen a team so completely loaded with dominating All-Pro talent that has so much synergy completely thrown away. Cutler, Clady, Marshall, Royal, Harris, and Hillis. This offense was going to rewrite the history books.

The Broncos has an All-Pro quarterback, something that teams strive desperately to acquire for decades. The hardest player to get in all of sport. Yet Bowlen has to go all ‘Al Davis’ and get in a power struggle with the best GM/Coach in the business. Maybe there is a reason the Broncos didn’t make the playoffs and won three in a row, namely that Shanahan is a victim of his own success. Being such a winning coach means that he’s been reloading with terrible draft positioning. Yet he’s still put together the best offense in the game, and its so young, it has at least ten years of window in front of it.

Shanahan could have spent the next ten years throwing draft picks and free agent signings at the defense. The Broncos were never going to find stud 4-3 lineman. They just don’t come along but once in a generation: Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Howie Long. The Broncos were transitioning back to the 3-4 defense invented here under Joe Collier that the rest of the copycat league has since employed.

Rome is burning, the Broncos are irrelevant, but at least Pat Bowlen is in charge…

My favorite line from Rockstar, “all the talent…just left the room.”

With Shanahan fired…Cutler traded…and Marshall on the way out, is there a fan in Broncoland anymore that thinks that Al Davis is more of a train wreck for the Raiders than Pat Bowlen has been for the Broncos?

I wuv “the coach!”

I never thought I’d love another man but I have fallen in love with the new coach. He’s a little shorter than I’d like but his presence hasn’t been equaled since Napolean! He doesn’t take any guff off of young, talented punks like Cutler and saw the highly ranked offense for the sham it was. Stats, stats, stats…blah, blah, blah…. It took a real MAN to come in and fix that which so many thought wasn’t broken…BRAVO, coach!!

What surprised even me (remember, I wuv the coach), was his willingness to ignore naysayers of the defense. He saw the raw talent and ability of the existing players and, with few exceptions, kept things intact. His revolutionary concept of letting players compete for their jobs–so different from the Shanahan regime where he picked his favorites and played them even if there were better players on the bench–will, someday, be the norm around the league.

I guess, the only surprise, to date, has been the resigning of Casey Weigman…. This “me first” player went to the Pro Bowl last year and I’m not sure Pro Bowlers know about the “team first” concept the coach is instilling here in Denver. I’m not sure there is a place for players who focus on such individual awards but, who’s to argue with the genius? Perhaps, Weigman is just such a good guy, it outweighs the Pro Bowl selection–at least I hope that’s true!!!

Anyhow, I’m REALLY excited about the upcoming season. There are so many new leaders and good guys on the team and I’m expecting a breakout season from Kyle Orton! I hope the coach also installs some plays for Chris Simms, too…perhaps, he could platoon the two players as it’s so tough to figure out who, among the two, is the nicer guy–I love BOT”H of them (don’t worry, coach, I love them as players, not the same way I wuv YOU!).

I suspect this is the year Mr. Bowlen is named “Executive of the Year” for the fantastic job he’s done in assembling this amazing front office and coaching staff! I’m smelling MULTIPLE Super Bowls, the first of which will be THIS YEAR!!

Go coach!! Oh, and GO BRONCOS!! SUPER BOWL!!

I wuv “the coach!”

I never thought I’d love another man but I have fallen in love with the new coach. He’s a little shorter than I’d like but his presence hasn’t been equaled since Napolean! He doesn’t take any guff off of young, talented punks like Cutler and saw the highly ranked offense for the sham it was. Stats, stats, stats…blah, blah, blah…. It took a real MAN to come in and fix that which so many thought wasn’t broken…BRAVO, coach!!

What surprised even me (remember, I wuv the coach), was his willingness to ignore naysayers of the defense. He saw the raw talent and ability of the existing players and, with few exceptions, kept things intact. His revolutionary concept of letting players compete for their jobs–so different from the Shanahan regime where he picked his favorites and played them even if there were better players on the bench–will, someday, be the norm around the league.

I guess, the only surprise, to date, has been the resigning of Casey Weigman…. This “me first” player went to the Pro Bowl last year and I’m not sure Pro Bowlers know about the “team first” concept the coach is instilling here in Denver. I’m not sure there is a place for players who focus on such individual awards but, who’s to argue with the genius? Perhaps, Weigman is just such a good guy, it outweighs the Pro Bowl selection–at least I hope that’s true!!!

Anyhow, I’m REALLY excited about the upcoming season. There are so many new leaders and good guys on the team and I’m expecting a breakout season from Kyle Orton! I hope the coach also installs some plays for Chris Simms, too…perhaps, he could platoon the two players as it’s so tough to figure out who, among the two, is the nicer guy–I love BOT”H of them (don’t worry, coach, I love them as players, not the same way I wuv YOU!).

I suspect this is the year Mr. Bowlen is named “Executive of the Year” for the fantastic job he’s done in assembling this amazing front office and coaching staff! I’m smelling MULTIPLE Super Bowls, the first of which will be THIS YEAR!!

Go coach!! Oh, and GO BRONCOS!! SUPER BOWL!!

Dan Bowman

Enough of the cry baby crap already , it’s getting really old… Is that all the Denver Fan’s say, cry baby ?… no wonder everyone wants out of Denver… They the Fan’s are the true cry babies !! . … deal with it ….!!!!

Dan Bowman

Enough of the cry baby crap already , it’s getting really old… Is that all the Denver Fan’s say, cry baby ?… no wonder everyone wants out of Denver… They the Fan’s are the true cry babies !! . … deal with it ….!!!!

Chrisbelb

On the Marshall situation…

Relax everyone. This is totally par for the course in the NFL. If a team signs a player to a big money long-term deal, the contract is usually drawn up to allow the team to either cut the player or restructure the deal down in the last few years. Likewise, rookie deals or long-term small money deals are typically renegotiated in the last year or so if the player is out-performing his salary, which Marshall obviously has done (and with his best years ahead of him). You can’t really get too ticked at either side on this issue. It’s a business, both sides wish to get the best out of the contract possible, and we’re all just observers to the process. Maybe Marshall stays, maybe he goes. He has the bargaining chip of the last two seasons’ worth of productivity in his pocket, combined with overall question marks about the team coming out of this somewhat tumultuous offseason…management has the injury and off-field stuff as their bargaining chip. Marshall is holding out and demanding a trade to force the issue….totally boiler-plate stuff for someone in his situation. It has absolutely nothing to do with anyone’s loyalty to the team, fans, city, etc. It’s as much about business to them as it is for you when you go to work everyday. Any side viewing it any other way is doing a dis-service to themselves and those depending on them. Just for the record, I don’t think “shut up and play out your contract” is justifiable until teams start honoring entire contracts as well. Neither side plays it fair. Playing fair equals losing in the world of multi-million dollar contracts.

You really can’t get your panties in a knot over this stuff…just sit back and enjoy whatever football team Denver is able to field, and hope that the management team that’s been assembled has the right approach for fielding a competitive team over the next 5-6 years.

Chrisbelb

On the Marshall situation…

Relax everyone. This is totally par for the course in the NFL. If a team signs a player to a big money long-term deal, the contract is usually drawn up to allow the team to either cut the player or restructure the deal down in the last few years. Likewise, rookie deals or long-term small money deals are typically renegotiated in the last year or so if the player is out-performing his salary, which Marshall obviously has done (and with his best years ahead of him). You can’t really get too ticked at either side on this issue. It’s a business, both sides wish to get the best out of the contract possible, and we’re all just observers to the process. Maybe Marshall stays, maybe he goes. He has the bargaining chip of the last two seasons’ worth of productivity in his pocket, combined with overall question marks about the team coming out of this somewhat tumultuous offseason…management has the injury and off-field stuff as their bargaining chip. Marshall is holding out and demanding a trade to force the issue….totally boiler-plate stuff for someone in his situation. It has absolutely nothing to do with anyone’s loyalty to the team, fans, city, etc. It’s as much about business to them as it is for you when you go to work everyday. Any side viewing it any other way is doing a dis-service to themselves and those depending on them. Just for the record, I don’t think “shut up and play out your contract” is justifiable until teams start honoring entire contracts as well. Neither side plays it fair. Playing fair equals losing in the world of multi-million dollar contracts.

You really can’t get your panties in a knot over this stuff…just sit back and enjoy whatever football team Denver is able to field, and hope that the management team that’s been assembled has the right approach for fielding a competitive team over the next 5-6 years.

Joe

I’m sick of hearing people likr “Ron O” talk about how they never get the breaks pro athletes do. It’s not because some huge unfair thing is going on. No offense Ron but i’m pretty sure you’re expendable, and entirely average.

Brandon marshall is far and away the most talented (not best) WR this team has ever had. You do what you have to keep your valuable commodities

Joe

I’m sick of hearing people likr “Ron O” talk about how they never get the breaks pro athletes do. It’s not because some huge unfair thing is going on. No offense Ron but i’m pretty sure you’re expendable, and entirely average.

Brandon marshall is far and away the most talented (not best) WR this team has ever had. You do what you have to keep your valuable commodities

CJ

So funny. No matter how you try to slice this, McDaniels inherited both problems rather than created them. Cutler was disgruntled before McDaniels walked in the door and #15 wanted more money before McDaniels walked in the door. All you “Cutler” fans must have forgotten that he asked to be traded after Shanahan was let go then cried when the new coach and gm listened to offers. #15 is desperate to get paid at a time when very few players will so no fault on him with exception to the way that they are handling things (players who want to be with a team show up and show their worth). Understand that it didn’t matter who the next coach was going to be, they would STILL have had a disgruntled QB and a receiver who outperformed his rookie contract on their hands. The state of the broncos has more to do with Shanahan’s leftover mess than with McDaniels/Xanders. Last I checked, of the chaff that had to be discarded from Shanahan’s team, only Dre Bly (half year contract) has been picked up. I don’t see anyone mentioning Engleberger, Robertson, Bly, Webster et al. I don’t see anyone mentioning 5 D coordinators in 7 seasons, Maurice Clarett, Shanahan’s guarantee of making the playoffs then choking up in historic fashion. It was time for Shanny to go, it was time for Cutler to get his wish. If the broncos go 7-9 or 8-8 this year then we lost what? For all you who enjoyed mediocrity then be my guest and hop off the wagon. Besides, who cares whether you are a fan for 25 years or 2 days if you are going to be fare weather?

CJ

So funny. No matter how you try to slice this, McDaniels inherited both problems rather than created them. Cutler was disgruntled before McDaniels walked in the door and #15 wanted more money before McDaniels walked in the door. All you “Cutler” fans must have forgotten that he asked to be traded after Shanahan was let go then cried when the new coach and gm listened to offers. #15 is desperate to get paid at a time when very few players will so no fault on him with exception to the way that they are handling things (players who want to be with a team show up and show their worth). Understand that it didn’t matter who the next coach was going to be, they would STILL have had a disgruntled QB and a receiver who outperformed his rookie contract on their hands. The state of the broncos has more to do with Shanahan’s leftover mess than with McDaniels/Xanders. Last I checked, of the chaff that had to be discarded from Shanahan’s team, only Dre Bly (half year contract) has been picked up. I don’t see anyone mentioning Engleberger, Robertson, Bly, Webster et al. I don’t see anyone mentioning 5 D coordinators in 7 seasons, Maurice Clarett, Shanahan’s guarantee of making the playoffs then choking up in historic fashion. It was time for Shanny to go, it was time for Cutler to get his wish. If the broncos go 7-9 or 8-8 this year then we lost what? For all you who enjoyed mediocrity then be my guest and hop off the wagon. Besides, who cares whether you are a fan for 25 years or 2 days if you are going to be fare weather?

Franco

Trade all your super stars!!….we don’t want punks with baggage….only clean players allowed in Denver.
I’m tired of this. I hope the Broncos go 2-14 this season so that we can get rid of the idiot who was willing to trade a player worth 2 first round picks plus a decent QB for a mediocre QB who was worth only a third round pick to his OWN team. The same “young genius” paid millions to old defensive players.
This clown’s “system” was Brady-Moss, best QB and WR in the league….my dog can run a “system” with that kind of talent….yet the “system” still disappeared against Spagniolo…..what a joke.
I’m taking a leave of absence from the Broncos this year. Only an idiot with no life would remain loyal to this charade.

Franco

Trade all your super stars!!….we don’t want punks with baggage….only clean players allowed in Denver.
I’m tired of this. I hope the Broncos go 2-14 this season so that we can get rid of the idiot who was willing to trade a player worth 2 first round picks plus a decent QB for a mediocre QB who was worth only a third round pick to his OWN team. The same “young genius” paid millions to old defensive players.
This clown’s “system” was Brady-Moss, best QB and WR in the league….my dog can run a “system” with that kind of talent….yet the “system” still disappeared against Spagniolo…..what a joke.
I’m taking a leave of absence from the Broncos this year. Only an idiot with no life would remain loyal to this charade.

Aussie Thom

Don’t know about the legalities of pro football contracts, but common sense would seem to indicate that Marshall should have shown up for OTAs and mini-camps, proved he was fit, shown his willingness to contribute toward a winning season, and waited until the next post-season to really work on a new contract (which would have been forthcoming and most likely VERY lucrative.) To heap Marshall’s baggage on Coach Mac is unfair and unwarranted, as is the Cutler situation. Mac is very analytical, methodical, creative, and infectiously enthusiastic. He will choose the players that he knows will fit his scheme and cut the players (talented though they may be) that don’t fit the scheme. However, he is flexible enough to allow selected players to play their own game where it extends the parameters of the scheme. He is building a team that will compete this season for the Big Prize, although realistically, the Big Prize is 2-3 seasons down the line. Go Broncos.

Aussie Thom

Don’t know about the legalities of pro football contracts, but common sense would seem to indicate that Marshall should have shown up for OTAs and mini-camps, proved he was fit, shown his willingness to contribute toward a winning season, and waited until the next post-season to really work on a new contract (which would have been forthcoming and most likely VERY lucrative.) To heap Marshall’s baggage on Coach Mac is unfair and unwarranted, as is the Cutler situation. Mac is very analytical, methodical, creative, and infectiously enthusiastic. He will choose the players that he knows will fit his scheme and cut the players (talented though they may be) that don’t fit the scheme. However, he is flexible enough to allow selected players to play their own game where it extends the parameters of the scheme. He is building a team that will compete this season for the Big Prize, although realistically, the Big Prize is 2-3 seasons down the line. Go Broncos.

Alaska Bronco Fan

Anyone who would wish a poor season on the Broncos just because they don’t like the coach or owner’s decisions is no fan of this team. Truth be known, anyone who would wish “their” team would lose for any reason, much less condemn “their” team’s chances before the season has even started is probably incapable of supporting anyone or anything for long. That’s a serious character flaw that likely carries over into their personal relationships and endeavors as well. Such people are likely to quit when the going gets tough rather than hang in there and be supportive. They likely can’t keep a girlfriend for more than a month or two and probably need alot of supervision to even approach performing well on the job. Rather than envision how something might get done, they’ll spend all day telling us why it can’t. This season hasn’t even started yet and they’ve already cast this Broncos team as abject failures.

The sooner losers like this jump off the Broncos Bandwagon, the better off the community of true Broncos fans will be.

We should wait until at least midway through the upcoming season before casting judgment on the McDaniels regime. By mid-season, I think we’ll begin to get a better sense of whether or not McDaniels and his staff have got the Broncos headed in the right direction. I personally will have no complaint with a 7-9 or 8-8 type season if it appears the Broncos are laying real groundwork towards future long term success. Don’t forget, even Shanahan went 8-8 in his first season.

Alaska Bronco Fan

Anyone who would wish a poor season on the Broncos just because they don’t like the coach or owner’s decisions is no fan of this team. Truth be known, anyone who would wish “their” team would lose for any reason, much less condemn “their” team’s chances before the season has even started is probably incapable of supporting anyone or anything for long. That’s a serious character flaw that likely carries over into their personal relationships and endeavors as well. Such people are likely to quit when the going gets tough rather than hang in there and be supportive. They likely can’t keep a girlfriend for more than a month or two and probably need alot of supervision to even approach performing well on the job. Rather than envision how something might get done, they’ll spend all day telling us why it can’t. This season hasn’t even started yet and they’ve already cast this Broncos team as abject failures.

The sooner losers like this jump off the Broncos Bandwagon, the better off the community of true Broncos fans will be.

We should wait until at least midway through the upcoming season before casting judgment on the McDaniels regime. By mid-season, I think we’ll begin to get a better sense of whether or not McDaniels and his staff have got the Broncos headed in the right direction. I personally will have no complaint with a 7-9 or 8-8 type season if it appears the Broncos are laying real groundwork towards future long term success. Don’t forget, even Shanahan went 8-8 in his first season.

Mark B

Since when do Bronco fans allow their team to become a national joke? Do you treat your children this way too?

Mark B

Since when do Bronco fans allow their team to become a national joke? Do you treat your children this way too?

Jim Brooks

Les Broncos Miserables
It’s a privilege to be a Broncos fan of many years. I look at this time in the franchise as an exciting change. Like it or not, we fans don’t own the team and really have no input, so if I can accept that fact, and I can, I can also be willing to go along for the ride. This is NOT going to be a race to the Super Bowl. Obviously, it’s going to take several years to rebuild this team. So I think any games our Broncos can win this year will add to Coach McD’s credibility. I for one, am willing to give him and his coaching staff a few years to straighten things out.
I believe anyone who isn’t willing to do that is going to be Les Broncos Miserable.
By the way, any blame, if you have to embrace that attitude, goes to Pat Bowlen, who does what most good business owners do, makes the hard decisions and takes the consequences.
Jimbo in the Connecticut hills

Jim Brooks

Les Broncos Miserables
It’s a privilege to be a Broncos fan of many years. I look at this time in the franchise as an exciting change. Like it or not, we fans don’t own the team and really have no input, so if I can accept that fact, and I can, I can also be willing to go along for the ride. This is NOT going to be a race to the Super Bowl. Obviously, it’s going to take several years to rebuild this team. So I think any games our Broncos can win this year will add to Coach McD’s credibility. I for one, am willing to give him and his coaching staff a few years to straighten things out.
I believe anyone who isn’t willing to do that is going to be Les Broncos Miserable.
By the way, any blame, if you have to embrace that attitude, goes to Pat Bowlen, who does what most good business owners do, makes the hard decisions and takes the consequences.
Jimbo in the Connecticut hills

Jerry

I second the July 18th comments made by Phillip! Everyone should read his comments and understand what he refers to as the “Train Wreck” created by Bowlen and his new head coach. He actually hits the nail right on the head and his comments are as accurate and “to the point” as any I’ve ever read! “All the talent …..just left the room” is one of my favorite lines too! AND describes pefectfully the new reformed Bronco team and what Pat Bowlen’s new management has done so far! AND There’s more to come – God help us! Soon – there goes Marshall!

AND Finally – All the Bronco fans who have been so supportive over the past 20, 30 ans 40 years and are now so “giddy” about all the recent stupid moves made by Bowlen and new Coach McDaniels (since Coach Shannahan’s dismissal), really need to have their heads examined if the like what they are seeing. Because all that has transpired so far will unfortunately add up to numerous “Last place” finishes for our Broncos behind the improving San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raider teams.

Jerry

I second the July 18th comments made by Phillip! Everyone should read his comments and understand what he refers to as the “Train Wreck” created by Bowlen and his new head coach. He actually hits the nail right on the head and his comments are as accurate and “to the point” as any I’ve ever read! “All the talent …..just left the room” is one of my favorite lines too! AND describes pefectfully the new reformed Bronco team and what Pat Bowlen’s new management has done so far! AND There’s more to come – God help us! Soon – there goes Marshall!

AND Finally – All the Bronco fans who have been so supportive over the past 20, 30 ans 40 years and are now so “giddy” about all the recent stupid moves made by Bowlen and new Coach McDaniels (since Coach Shannahan’s dismissal), really need to have their heads examined if the like what they are seeing. Because all that has transpired so far will unfortunately add up to numerous “Last place” finishes for our Broncos behind the improving San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raider teams.

Jerry

I second the July 18th comments made by Phillip! Everyone should read his comments and understand what he refers to as the “Train Wreck” created by Bowlen and his new head coach. He actually hits the nail right on the head and his comments are as accurate and “to the point” as any I’ve ever read! “All the talent …..just left the room” is one of my favorite lines too! AND describes pefectfully the new reformed Bronco team and what Pat Bowlen’s new management has done so far! AND There’s more to come – God help us! Soon – there goes Marshall!

AND Finally – All the Bronco fans who have been so supportive over the past 20, 30 and 40 years and are now so “giddy” about all the recent stupid moves made by Bowlen and new Coach McDaniels (since Coach Shannahan’s dismissal), really need to have their heads examined if they like what they are seeing. Because all that has transpired so far will unfortunately add up to numerous “Last place” finishes for our Broncos behind the improving San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raider teams.

Jerry

I second the July 18th comments made by Phillip! Everyone should read his comments and understand what he refers to as the “Train Wreck” created by Bowlen and his new head coach. He actually hits the nail right on the head and his comments are as accurate and “to the point” as any I’ve ever read! “All the talent …..just left the room” is one of my favorite lines too! AND describes pefectfully the new reformed Bronco team and what Pat Bowlen’s new management has done so far! AND There’s more to come – God help us! Soon – there goes Marshall!

AND Finally – All the Bronco fans who have been so supportive over the past 20, 30 and 40 years and are now so “giddy” about all the recent stupid moves made by Bowlen and new Coach McDaniels (since Coach Shannahan’s dismissal), really need to have their heads examined if they like what they are seeing. Because all that has transpired so far will unfortunately add up to numerous “Last place” finishes for our Broncos behind the improving San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raider teams.

Wyoming Fan

As a fan of the Broncos for the last 35 years I have been through the ups and downs and have always been one to say wate for next year. I always belived in the Broncos and the old miricals of Mile High. I can’t do it any more when Bolan got Denver to build a new stadium and when we change the mname to Invesco Field we lost something. Since then I have began to relaize that it is not about the team it is not about Denver and it is definately about the fan it is only about Bolan and his ego. In Elway we had someone we could belive in and in Cutler we once again had soemeone we could belive in as of today Bronco Fans what do we have to belive in? Not much. Most of us are hoping that we can survie the next to years without being totaly humiliated. I don’t know about everyone one else but I am going to continue to be a Bronco fan as I beieve like all things this will pass but I am sure I am like a lot of Bronco fans I am also going to enjoy watching the Bears because I belive they have hope and maybe I may get a look at what might have been.

Wyoming Fan

As a fan of the Broncos for the last 35 years I have been through the ups and downs and have always been one to say wate for next year. I always belived in the Broncos and the old miricals of Mile High. I can’t do it any more when Bolan got Denver to build a new stadium and when we change the mname to Invesco Field we lost something. Since then I have began to relaize that it is not about the team it is not about Denver and it is definately about the fan it is only about Bolan and his ego. In Elway we had someone we could belive in and in Cutler we once again had soemeone we could belive in as of today Bronco Fans what do we have to belive in? Not much. Most of us are hoping that we can survie the next to years without being totaly humiliated. I don’t know about everyone one else but I am going to continue to be a Bronco fan as I beieve like all things this will pass but I am sure I am like a lot of Bronco fans I am also going to enjoy watching the Bears because I belive they have hope and maybe I may get a look at what might have been.

Garry

I have been a loyal fan of the Denver boys since the days of striped socks when my uncle used to take me to the games. I am lucky enough to get to go to several games a year and spend obnoxious amounts of money there. This year when I go to the Broncs/Steelers game I will be wearing a Steeler jersey. I know I will be cheering for the home town boys but the Steeler gear will be my form of protest over what I consider the stupidest management move since Boston sold Ruth to the Yankees

Garry

I have been a loyal fan of the Denver boys since the days of striped socks when my uncle used to take me to the games. I am lucky enough to get to go to several games a year and spend obnoxious amounts of money there. This year when I go to the Broncs/Steelers game I will be wearing a Steeler jersey. I know I will be cheering for the home town boys but the Steeler gear will be my form of protest over what I consider the stupidest management move since Boston sold Ruth to the Yankees

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.